| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Parker Mountain, Evans Mountain (Strafford), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Whippoorwill Trail, Spencer Smith Trail, bushwhacks, logging roads, snowmobile trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 14, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No formal parking for Whippoorwill Trail. The Strafford Town Forest map indicates that the trail begins at the Evans Family Cemetery near the top of Evans Mtn. Rd., so I parked here. I have used this parking previously without issue. The "unmaintained" portion of Evans Mtn. Rd. is perfectly fine as there is a residence/farm at the end of the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The new-ish Whippoorwill Trail only has two blue blazes in its first 1.4 mi. where it follows snowmobile routes. After that it is well marked once it changes to a footpath. No signs at either end though. There are four blowdowns on Spencer Smith Trail between the south ledges and the summit of Parker; two of them are large. Blazing on Spencer Smith needs to be redone. At the south ledges on Parker, the entrances to both Spencer Smith and Whippoorwill, which are practically next to each other, are marked with blue blazes. Spencer Smith, however, is a red-blazed trail so it's not clear why it is marked in blue here. Without signs this could be confusing for inexperienced hikers. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This hike was mainly to check out the new-ish Whippoorwill Trail that connects Evans Mtn. Rd. to Parker Mtn. from the west. I say "new-ish" because even though the trail has been blazed for a couple of years, it now appears on the latest Strafford Town Forest map. A little over half the route follows snowmobile trails which have a few minor flooded areas. After that it's a pleasant footpath along the ridge between Evans and Parker. At about 2.0 mi, a short side path leads to the top of some neat cliffs that have excellent views.
That trail ends at the south ledges on Parker and from there I followed Spencer Smith Trail to the summit. Always love visiting the jumbo cairn here.
I backtracked to the ledges and instead of following the same route all the way back, I bushwhacked northwest toward Evans Mtn. through open woods and using ancient logging roads to make progress. One of these roads was very overgrown though so it was easier to stay in the woods beside it. This route took me to the ledgy but viewless summit of Evans and from there I followed snowmobile trails back down to Evans Mtn. Rd.
Aside from the initial snomo sections of Whippoorwill, everything was pretty dry here. The start of the trail feels like you are going to walk into the property at the end of the road but at no time does the route enter their land. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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